Flower and Thorn. By Beatrice Whitby. (Hurst and Blackett. 6e.) — This
is rather a commonplace story of an extravagant woman who marries a Captain of moderate means in a Line regiment. Valerie, as she is called, is really very fond of her husband, though she has a talent for reducing her household to "sixes and sevens," and there are endless " scenes " between them. The mild loves and hates of these people, however, are unconvincing. It is difficult to be much interested in the fate of characters like stock samples. There is the tiresomely attractive young woman ; the rich man who makes love to her; the stern, worthy husband ; the child who is at times boisterous and at times angelic ; the worthy, practical lady friend, whose soul is not above housekeeping t and a few minor characters. One has often met these people before in novels, and that in itself is no reason for objecting to meet them again, but there is a flatness about them and their surroundings that is somewhat depressing. Not that the story ends badly. The hero goes to the Boer War and comes back to a Staff appointment. The book is easy to read, and people who like descriptions of county balls and picnics may get some amusement out of it.
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